Vise



June26,1928. 1,675,030

F. F. JOHNSON VISE Filed Nov. 11, 19 26 2 she ts-shee 2 a 7mm W7C @W Patented June 26, 1928.

re rem QEEEJQE.

FLOYD Ft JOHNSON, OF BELOI T, WISCONSIN.

\VISE.

Application filer-November 11,- 1926. Seri2'111147i644.

This invention relates generally 'to im- 'p1fovements in vises 'or similar gripping tools but is "more particularly 'concerned 'with pipe Vises or the chain-type.

5 The principal object lS"t0" plOVi Gl6"EtViSQ ofthekind mentioned which much quicker in action than thosel hereto fiire availableby "chain is placed under tension whereby the 0 accidental loosening'tlrereof is positively re- (siste d. p Still further objects of the invention rel.- tive'tothe detailsoii construction an'd'ar- "rangementof parts whereby to provide an extremely light and compact device possessingmaximum strength andinereased capacity willbe brought out together witha discussion of the "above objects in the course (if the .ffono ing :Tlllfllled description 'in which reference is'made to the accompany- 'ing drawings 'wherein Figure lis a side'view of 'a pipe vise'con- "structed in "accordance with -my invention; Fig.2 is a central vertical, longitudinal section throughthe vise to more'c learlyih lustrate the construction thereof as well as to lbetter indicate the novel method of operation; and Fig. 3 is'a transverse sectiontakenon-the line3'3 'of' Fig. 2 looliingin'the direction :ofthe' arrows.

- The same reference numerals are applied "to corresponding parts in the three views. Theivise comprisesa body 10 having a ih-eav'pflange '11 thereon by means o'f'whieh :the same may be boltedor otherwise suitablyJseeured as. at 12 to a bench, post, or other convenient "support. indicated at 13. The 'body has jaw plates14 secured thereon .as by means of screws. 15- to provide the l' rippin'g teeth 16 for holding an article,'

such. as apiece'ofpipe indicated at 17. V The jaw plates 14- may be renewed wheneverthe iteeth 16 'havebeeome'worn to such an extent .astto aifordtoodittle grippingaction. Co-

"operat-iirgwiththe jaw teeth lo'is a flexible threaded.

linked chain 18 arranged to be passed about the pipe so as to grip the same -secn'ely. The effectiveness of this type of vi'se. is known and appreciated 1 and, therefore, :re-

quires no lengthy explanation. It"willf= s1ifwith the i gripping action of i the "teeth posi- "tively preventsthe pipefromturning. AIn the event the pipe commences "Ito turn it is ce-used to rollf'up the'in'clined sides -of =the vise jaws "on the-teeth 16 and, being; '-:eo:n-

fined withinthe chain1'8,:is gripped more and more tightly. The operation is the same itit is endeavored to turn Lth'eap-ipe in either direction. Thus, 'the' visein the case of a tapping operation holds ith'eipipe securely as the die-is threaded ontoi'the pipe and the same is truewhen the die -is min This general construction, as well as the method of operation thus far described, may besaid to'be 'coimnon generals ly to pipe vises of the chain type and "no invention is, therefore claimed in 5 these broadfeatures excepting in so tar as they contribute toward the novel combin'ations hereinafter described. I

' The chain 18 has the cross 1 pins '19 in i the free end port-ion ofthe chain extended beyond the sides of the links20t0 provide fice to state, therefore, "thatfthe wr'apping act1on of the chain about the pipe combined trunnions wherebythe free'end 'oflthe'ch'ain may be held When the vise is to be operated and the chain is to bepl-aced under 'holding tension. The free end portion ofthe chain is arranged to extend through abifuroated portion 21 onthe back of the body' 10 so that theends of'the-cross pins 1 9 -be engaged in either one of two pairs of aligned recesses 22 and 23 provided suita'blyfby conforming the back r of the body '10 at' the bifurcated portion. After a pi'ece'ofpipe 'is placed in the vise aird th'e chain 'i spassed about the same and down into the bifurcated portion 21 a cross pin -'1-9'WiIPbe enteiedin which-ever 'pairof recesses is so disposed as to receive the same. In the-case illustrated one of the cross pins 19 has been "engaged in the lower pair ofr'ec'esses 22. 5 Obviously, 7

if the pipe were slightly larger orefightl smaller itwould become necessary to use the recesses 23 instead. -WVhen the 'freefe'nd portion of the chain is heldithe chain is placed under tension by-a simpleswinging movement of the hand lever 2 in'a eloekwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. The

hand lever 24 is conveniently prQVided'QWith enabled to use either set of rece e a pipe handle 25 threading therein, as at 26, so that the same may be unthreaded and another handle of greater or smaller length maybe substituted. However, the principal purpose in the provision of a removable handie is to enable packing the vise in a kit to be carried about as, for example, on outside jobs, or to enable packing the vise for shipment and storage. The vise with the handle removed takes'up very little room and a small packing box will sufiice to receive the same with the handle placed in loose. The hand lever 24 has a cylindrical head 27, preterably cast integral therewith, and received in a cylindrical bearing opening 28 extending transversely through the front portion of the body 10. A plate 29 fixed to the end of the head 27, as by means of screws 30, serves to retain the same in its assembled position in the bearing 28. The head 27 is cut away or cored mlt' interrnediate the ends of the bearing 28, as indicated at 31, and the body 10 has an open ng 32 cored therein in register with the opening 31 so that the inner end of the chain 18 may be entered through the opening 32 into the opening 31 for'connection wit-ha pin 33 entered in an opening 34 eccentric to but parallel with the axis ofthe head 27 The 'pin 33 by reason of its offset relation in the head 27 is arranged to act as a crank pin to exert a pull on the end of the chain when the hand lever 24 is swung in a clockwise direction as referred to above. The throw of the crank pin, that is its movement from an upper deadcenter to a lower dead center (see Fig. 2), is preferably equivalent approximately to the distance between the cross pins 19 of the chain 18. Thus it is positively insured thatjone ot the cross pins will be or 23 as an abutment to hold the tree end of the chain, when the same is to be placed under holding tension.- In other words, when the free end of the chain is to be held byone of its cross pins in the recesses the crank pin 33 may have to be brought through part of its stroke from upper dead center to lower dead center before the cross pin will find a seat in one of the sets o't The further movement of the pin will then serve totake up what little slack may remain in the chain and place the same under tension so that the pipe or other article placed in the vise will be gripped The distance between the pairs of recesses 22 and 23 is preferably greater than the distance between adjoining cross pins 19 of the chain, or what amounts to the same thing, greater than the throw of the crank pin 33. In actual practice where the cross pins of the chain are one inch apart and the throw of the crank pin .33 is one inch, that is, it operates on a radius of onehalf inch, the distance between the pairs of recesses 22 and 23 is preferably about one and onehalf inches. This relative proportionment makes it a simple matter to operate the vise and the action is accordingly much quicker than in the case of any chain type pi e vise of which I am aware. It is especial y quicker in its action than that type of vise using a handled nut threading on a screw attached to the end of the chain. This type of vise, besides being slow in action, was particularly tedious and awkward to operate. It will be noted in Fig. 3 that the cross pins 19 at the inner end 0'1 the chain are not extended beyond the sides of the links so that the opening 32 may be relatively narrow and the body 10 ot the vise will accordingly be that much stronger. The crank pin is preferably removably inserted in the opening 34 and the plate 29 will serve to keep the same in its assembled position in the head. The small opening 35 in register with the opening 34 affords access to the pin 33 from behind the same to enable driving the pin out of thehead in the event it becomes necessary at anytime to replace the same, or it is'desired to'disassemble the vise for inspection, cleaning and oiling. By reason of the fact that the load imposed on the head 27 in the tensioning of the chain 18 is concentrated at the middle of the head the latter has an evenly balanced bearing pressure at .both. ends within the opening 28 and the operation of the hand ]ever 24 is accordingly made easy as there is no tendency for the headto bind in its bearing when the vise is operated. I will now describe another feature which I have incorporated in my vise and which is particularly advantageous when applied -to. use in connection with a ch'aintype vise operated b lever action, as above described, whereby t e chain when placed under tension serves to lock or clamp the vise to re sist any tendency for the chain to loosen. The locking feature is used in connection with the head 27 where the wall of the bearing 28 is arran ed to provide a clamping action to grip tie head to resist any tendency for the same to turn back oncethc chain has been placed under tension. I It will be observed that the body 10 is slotted from the back through to the bearing opening 28, as at 36. The slot may be formed in the casting of the body 10 but is preferably made by a saw cut. The slot 36 results in the portion 37 of the body 10, which is an integral extension of the wall of the bearing 28, being yieldable. It will be observed "ne'meo'eo slightly, as indicated :in a more 1 or less exaggerated degree 1 in FigQLQ, 'fromthe dotted a slightfcontraction of the bearing opening 28 and the head 27 :v is accordingly "locked in position by; a clamping-action. Obviously, the

tighter the vise is-puiled thegreater will be the gripping action in" the bearing 5 28. It will be noted that the slot "36iis provided approximately on atangentwith respect to the cylindrical --bea'ring "opening 28. Thus, on even clamping "action" practically throughout the circumference of the head 27 is secured.

There is obviouslylittletime consumed in closing or :o enmg= the J vise and the operator isnever annoyed with having the i vise give untler a*loa d1mposed on the article held therein. 'The locking feature, in effect,

makes possible themse of quick-operating lever action asherein illustrated.

' It isfbelievedthat theforegoing descripadaptations so that anyone skilled in the 'art to which the invention relates will readily perceive of such variations in "design and 7 construction aswvoul'd =naturally suggest themselves after adisclosurc of the invention. "It will, therefore;be understood that the present"embodiment'is merely for purposes of illustration andthe invention isnot to be limiteditothespecific-detailsshown.

I claim:

1. ln a grippin-g tool=of=the natureo'i' a vise or wrench, a jawfor reception of t-he pipe'orother article to-beheld, an' element providing a -complen=ienta ry holding "part whereby to grip the article i between it v and the jaw,=n ieans connected with said element for o aeratin the sameand ineludi-n aart arranged to 1 be moved when said element is tightened or loosened f1"o-1n '1ts hold on-the narticle, and means operated-by=sa-id element arranged to grip said movable part in the tightening operation and to release the same in the loosening operation.

2. In a gripping tool of the nature of a vise or wrench, a jaw for reception of the article to be held, an element providing a complementary holding part whereby to grip the article between it and the jaw, means connected with said element for operating the same and including a part arranged to be turned, to tighten or loosen the hold of said element on the article, and means operated by said element arranged to grip said rotary part in the tightening operation to resist the accidental turning back thereof.

3. In a vise, the combination of a body having a jaw portion thereon for reception of the article to be held, a flexible element to be passed about the article whereby to grip the same between it and the jaw portion,

element, and means actuated 'by the :free end of sai dveleinent when the Salli-I8 :isa placed-:iun-

der ten'sio-n by said last mention-ed?"meansito grip the l latter to maintain the tension in said-element. u l. in a vise,thc combinati'on o'f a -body. 1arranged to be fixed to a+ suitable support and having a ij aw port-ion thereon for reception ofthe articleto' be held, a flexible element ar =ranged to be passcd -about the article to grip the .same 9 between :it and the jaw aportion, means connected with one end of said'element to exert a pull thereon toplace the'ele- -naent linden-holding tension," and 'ineans providedon' a sag-ed by the free end I of I said element for holding the same during tensioning; the said portion of said body providing a clamp for gripping the tensioning means when the fiexi'ble element is plaeed underftension.

In "a vise; the combination ofaa body =arrangedii to be mounted 'on'a suitable support and having =a j aw portion for reception of the article to beheldpa flexible element such :1; 'nl: chain arrangechtobe passed about the ar y i the j aw po'rtion" of the botly,

' handle, a 1 rotary part received i'na cylindrical boar-ting v opening provided in said body and arranged tobe turned by=saitl hand=le, an eccentric connection on said rotary part -with t he end-of saitl tlexfibleelement whereby a portion of said body to be 'entic-le'to grip the-same betaveen'it and an operatingpull maybe-exerted on said element 'by P the p turning of saifdxrota'ry part, 1 said body being slotted from one side throughto the bearing 1 opening to} provide a: yielding portion formingan: integral extension: 0t one :wall :of the beari-ng'opening, and means provided on said portion for engagement with the free end portionof= said' flexible' elementito hold the element :for 1 the *tensionin-g 1 thereof, the

yielding portion of-said body being arranged Hon to be tlexed in i the =tensioning of said flexible element to distort l the wall of I: the bearing =.opening to the extent of clamping the rotary part therein.

6. In a vise structure as set forth in claim 5, the provision of the slot in the body extending substantially tangentially withrespect to the inside wall of the cylindrical bearing opening. 7

7. In a vise, the combination with a body arranged to be mounted on asuitable sup port and having a jaw portion for reception of the article to be held, anda flexible element such as a link chain to be passed about the article to grip the same between it and the jaw portion, of means on said body for holding the free end portion of said flexible element, and means connectedwith the other end of said element for exerting a pull thereon to place the same under a holding tension, said means comprising a cylindrical head bearing in a cylindrical opening provided therefor in said body, said head being cut away intermediatethe ends of the bear- Eng opening and having an eccentric connection therein with the end of said flexible element, and said body being likewise cut away to permit the extension of the end of the flexible element therethrough into the cut away port on of said head, an operating handle on one side of said head for turn ng the same, and a plate on the other side of the head to servewith the handle for retaining the head in its bearing opening.

8. In a structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein a pin removably inserted in an eccentric opening in the head provides connection with the flexible element, the provision of the plate secured on the end of said head arranged to retaln the pin in its assembled position in the head.

9. In a structure as set forth in claim 7 wherein a pin rcmovably inserted in an eccentric opening in the head provides connection with the flexible element, theprovision of the plate secured on the end of said head arranged to retain the pin in its assembled position in the head, said head being provided with an opening registering with the opening for the pin, the said opening being of a smaller size than the opening for the pin and serving to afford access to the pin from behind the same to passed about the article to grip the same betweenit and the jaw portion, means connected with one end of said flexible element for exerting a pullthereon to place the same under holding tension, and yielding means arranged for detachable connection with the free end portion of said flexible element to hold the salnefor tensioning.

11. In a structure as set forth in claim 10, the provision of means for tensioning the flexible element which comprises a part tightened or movable from an upper dead center position to a lower dead center position.

12. In a gripping tool ofthe nature of a vise or wrench, a jaw for reception of the pipe or other article to be held, an element providing a complementary holding 'ipart whereby to grip the article between it and the jaw, means connected with said element for opera-tin the same and including a part arranged to be moved when said element is loosened from its hold on the article, and means operated in the movement ofsaid movable part arranged, to gripthe latter.

13. In a grippin tool of the nature of a vise or wrench, a ]aw for reception of the article to be held, an element providing a complementary holding part whereby to grip the article between it and the jaw, means connected with saidelement for operating the same and including a part arranged to be turned to tighten or loosen the hold of said element on the article, and Ina-ans operated in the turning of said part arranged to grip the latter to resist the accidental turning back thereof. let. In a vise comprising a body arranged to be mounted on a suitable support and having a jaw portion for reception of the article to be held, a flexible element such as a link chain arranged to be passed aboutthe article to hold the same between it and the jaw portion, means on said bodyfor engagement with the free end portion of said element to hold the same for the tensioning thereof, a crank element connected with the other end of said element and arranged when turned to exert a pull thereon to place the element under holding tension, a lever for turning said crank element, and means for clamping the bearing portionof said crank element to prevent the accidental turning back thereof when the flexible element has been tensioned.

In witness of the foregoing I aflix my signature.

FLOYD F. JOHNSON. 

